The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28 You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. 30 I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, 31 but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up, let us go.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, whom God will send to the disciples after his departure to teach them and remind them of everything he taught them. Jesus imparts the gift of peace upon the disciples, a peace that transcends worldly circumstances and is rooted in the presence of God. He encourages them not to be troubled or afraid by worldly challenges but to trust in him. He tells them about his impending departure and eventual return. If they love him, they should not be sad but should rejoice that he will be returning to the Father because the Father is superior to him.
His departure is part of the divine plan of salvation which must be accomplished. He is forewarning them of the events to come so that when they occur, their faith will be strengthened. Jesus told them that he would no longer be able to teach them because of the imminent conflict with Satan. He is superior to Satan and Satan’s rule on Earth was almost at an end because he would be victorious over the power of darkness. He loves the Father and does as the Father commands.
Almighty God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who comforts, guides, and reminds us of your truth. Grant us the peace that surpasses all understanding and help us trust in your presence and obey your commands. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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